# What makes LiteShell / ProShell different from traditional waterproof laminates / standard nonwoven breathable fabrics?

> Source: https://breathablefilm.com/news/knowledge-center/liteshell-proshell-vs-traditional-laminates/
> Author: kh_sales02
> Published: 2026-04-28
> Updated: 2026-08-28

## Key takeaways

- LiteShell™ is a lightweight film-to-nonwoven construction for high-activity uses like light trekking, fishing coats, or urban commuting — soft, quiet, thin, and still windproof.
- ProShell™ uses a film-to-woven nylon or polyester lamination for extreme durability in more demanding conditions.
- Both outperform standard coated fabrics because Kae Hwa's solvent-free in-line lamination permanently bonds the membrane to its substrate instead of relying on a coating that peels over time.

## Frequently asked questions

### What makes LiteShell / ProShell different from traditional waterproof laminates / standard nonwoven breathable fabrics?

LiteShell is a lightweight film-to-nonwoven construction for high-activity uses like light trekking, fishing coats, or urban commuting: it is soft and quiet without the crinkly noise of hard shells, extremely thin and packable in 2L or 2.5L structures, and still offers a strong windproof barrier. ProShell instead uses a film-to-woven nylon or polyester lamination for extreme durability. Both outperform standard coated fabrics because Kae Hwa's solvent-free in-line lamination permanently bonds the membrane to its substrate instead of relying on a coating that peels over time, so waterproofing and breathability survive dozens of washes and prolonged high-altitude UV exposure.

### Why do standard coated waterproof fabrics lose performance over time?

Standard coated fabrics rely on a surface coating that can peel, crack, or wear away with washing and UV exposure, gradually losing waterproofing and breathability. Kae Hwa's solvent-free in-line lamination instead permanently bonds the membrane to its substrate, so LiteShell™ and ProShell™ retain performance through dozens of washes and prolonged high-altitude UV exposure.